Anytime that you go traveling to an area that has sanitary practices that are different from what is commonplace to you at home, you are at risk for picking up travelers’ diarrhea. Even a climate change that is different from what you are used to can also make it more likely that you may contract it.
Travelers’ diarrhea is a disorder of the digestive tract, and it is caused by either bacteria, a virus, or a parasite in the local water or food that may be mishandled. It’s most prominent symptom is very watery and loose diarrhea. Some other symptoms include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Bloating
- Gas
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
With diarrhea, we know that one can easily get dehydrated very quickly. When stricken with travelers’ diarrhea, you need to keep yourself hydrated, and often. For example, every time that you experience a watery bowel movement, you should drink at least one cup of water, more if you can handle it.
Other fluids that you can drink include sports drinks (which help replace electrolytes lost in the diarrhea), decaffeinated soda, clear soup and very weak tea. Drinking milk, or ingesting other dairy products may make travelers’ diarrhea worse. Alcohol and caffeine can also worsen symptoms.
While you may not feel up to it, you still need to eat to keep up your strength. You should aim to eat smaller meals throughout the day, rather than three larger meals, though. Once you get your appetite back, gently start introducing foods back into your system. Foods like pretzels, saltine crackers, toast, bland cereal, and rice are all great places to start.
Bananas are also a great food to have on hand if you have travelers’ diarrhea. They are high in potassium, which helps your body replace nutrients that your body may have lost during your bout with diarrhea.
Once you begin to feel better, you can increase your diet up to what you are used to eating as you can tolerate it. You may just want to introduce them slowly to your digestive system, so you don’t overwhelm it all at once.
You do need to see a medical professional if the diarrhea persists for more than a couple days. If your abdominal pain is intolerable, and you are constantly vomiting, it is time to see a doctor about it. They can prescribe you antibiotics to reduce how severe the diarrhea is and for how long it persists.
If you do plan on traveling, make sure you have a travelers’ diarrhea kit with you and take the necessary precautions for your destination. Schedule an appointment at your local Passport Health by calling or book online now.
Jennifer Passmore is a stay-at-home mom, writer and beader. She loves creating art with her words and through her jewelry. She is also a passionate mental health advocate.
